Take a look back at a century of Ford truck tailgate innovations on the eve of the 2024 F-150 launch.
1925
For nearly a century, the humble tailgate has served a very important purpose on various Ford vehicles, whether they be trucks, station wagons, or other types of models. Recently, the automaker decided to take a look back at how the tailgate has evolved over that time, which is pretty fascinating, indeed. It all started way back in 1925, when the very first factory-assembled Ford pickup debuted with a bed and an adjustable tailgate, in fact.
Photos: Ford
1948
In 1948, the very first F-Series pickup - the F1 - debuted, and it was chock full of innovative features. Among them was its rolled-edge, tapered tailgate, which featured anti-rattle drop chains designed to keep it flush with the bed floor or let it swing all the way down for easier access.
Photos: Ford
1959
For the 1959 model year, these incremental innovations continued, as the F-Series lineup gained a reflector on the right side of its tailgate, which was designed to make using that particular part a bit safer and easier at night.
Photos: Ford
1961
In 1961, Ford began marketing its F-Series tailgates as "grain-tight," as they now featured "instant-action" latches rather than steel chain locks, as well as one-handed instant lock action. Additionally, these tailgates gained 13 inches in width, too.
Photos: Ford
1964
A few years later, in 1964, the F-Series gained husky tailgate support straps made from steel, which fold into the tailgate - keeping them out of the way, as well as out of sight.
Photos: Ford
1980
From there, not much happened with Ford truck tailgates until 1980, when F-Series Styleside models gained a pretty cool feature - a fully removable tailgate as standard equipment.
Photos: Ford
1987
In 1987, the F-Series tailgate was treated to a complete redesign, giving is a brand new look that was unlike anything that came before it. This was only the beginning of some major modernization that was still to come, however.
Photos: Ford
1997
A full decade later, in 1997, the F-150 gained a standard locking tailgate as thieves began targeting these particular items. Better yet, the same key that operated the doors and ignition was also used to lock and unlock the tailgate.
Photos: Ford
2004
In 2004, Ford began offering Tailgate Assist on the F-Series, which uses a built-in torsion bar to bear much of the tailgate's weight and makes it easier for users to lift and lower as a result.
Photos: Ford
2005
One year later, in 2005, the F-250 and F-350 Super Duty gained yet another new feature - a quick release tailgate, which made it even easier to operate that piece of equipment.
Photos: Ford
2008
The 2008 Super Duty debuted a feature that's still present in Ford trucks to this day - a tailgate step, which also features a stowable bed extender that latches to the tailgate, too.
Photos: Ford
2015
In 2015, Ford added LED lighting to the tailgate release that sheds light directly onto the hitch, along with a power tailgate lock, remote power tailgate release, and the ability to drop the tailgate using the key fob or key pad.
Photos: Ford
2021
The all-new 2021 F-150 brought about many notable changes to the truck's tailgate, including the new work surface with things like holders and a ruler, tie-down hooks that double as bottle openers, and standard clamp pockets.
Photos: Ford
2024
Ford continues to innovate in this space with the refreshed 2024 F-150, which offers the newly optional Pro Access Tailgate. That feature is designed to make accessing the bed easier thanks to an inner section that opens independently and can swing open at various angles, even allowing easy access while towing trailers.
Photos: Ford
